The Diary is the sixth studio album by Detroit producer and rapper J Dilla, released on April 15th 2016 via Nas’s Mass Appeal Records. It features his frequent collaborators Frank N Dank, as well as Snoop Dogg, Bilal and production from Madlib. Previously known as Pay Jay, the project yields a turbulent history. It was initially to be Dilla’s debut studio album as a rapper, under MCA Records circa 2002. However due to sample clearance issues, controversial subject matter and not meeting expectations, the label shelved The Diary — leading him to create Ruff Draft instead. Seven years following Dilla’s death in 2006, his company Pay Jay Productions intended to release the LP. Although, it wasn’t until 2015 when it was announced that they partnered with Mass Appeal to slate its release, although around half of the album has been distributed as singles already. Being a more commercial oriented project, The Diary largely circulates around club music and showing off. It has been mostly well received.